Timber hoist



Nov. 22, 1927.

- A.'W. BELL, SR, ET AL TIMBER aors'r Filed 001;. s. 1926 I nventoxd zyMae/l. 5::

A. a. learn/y ma M Attorney Patented Nov 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES- 1,650,316 PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY w. BELL, $3., Ann HA EY L. JENNINGS, or UNIONTOWN, ENNSYL ANIA.

TIMBER HOIST.

Application filed October 5, 1926. Serial No. 139,660.

The present invention relates to improvements in lifting devices, andis-more particularly adapted to an apparatus for hoisting timbers orcross bars in coal mines and for supporting the timber in its raisedposition adjacent the ceiling of the mine while the leg members arebeing positioned beneath the respective ends of the timber or cross bar.

At the present time, considerable time and labor is spent in manuallylift-ing the timher or cross bar for holding the same in position untilthe leg members are put under the same in a coal mine and the presentinvention has for its'object to provide a device which will saveconsiderable time and labor in handling these timbers or cross bars in acoal mine. 1

A further object of the inventioni's to provide a timber hoist of theabovermentioned character which includes a vertically movable carriageon which is adapted to rest in a horizontal position the timber or crossbar, means being provided for actuating the carriage for moving thetimber to its prop-er position.

' A still further object is toprovide a timber hoist which is of suchconstruction as will enable the same to be readily set up in p0sitionwithin a mine, the hoist including ,a.

ceiling engaging head which will provide for a rigid structure and thusinsures the proper operation of the apparatus when in use.

of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction,inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purposefor which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages, of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals designate like parts throughout the several viewsFigure 1 is aside elevation of the timber hoistembodying our invention,and

Fig. 2 is a view taken at right angles thereto, parts of the apparatusbeing shown in section.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 1 designatesgenerally the lifting jack of any A further object is to provide. atimber wellknown construction, the sameincluding a vertically movablelifting head 2 which is adapted to be raised and lowered through themedium of a suitable operating lever 3. As the construction of the jackforms no important part of the present invention, a further detaileddescription thereof is thought unnecessary. V Our improved timber hoistcomprises the tubular stem or standard t which has its lower end securedon the vertically movable head 2 of the jack 1' so that the tubular stemor standard will be raised or lowered simultaneously with the actuationof the head 2. A block-like member 5 is provided at one end with atubular extension 6 on the bottom face'thereof' and said extension isadapted to fit within the upper end of the tubular stemor standard 4; asis clearly shown in Fig. 2. I

The portion of the block 5 directly above the tubular extension 6 isrecessed to accommodate the threaded stem 7, the upper end of whichcarries the ceiling engaging spur 8. A nut ,9 is threaded on the stem 7an is disposed within the recess formed in the block 5 for holding thestem 7 in any adjusted position. For the purpose of looking thenut 9within the recess against accidental displacement therefrom, I providethe externally threaded ring 10 which encircles the stem 7 and isthreaded into the upper portion of the recess and also engages the topface of the nut. 9 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 2. Y

The outer end of the block 5 which extends beyond the tubular stem orstandard 4 is provided with a vertical opening in which is disposed asuitable bearing 11, the" purpose of which will be presently appar'-.ent.

A bearing block designated generally by the numeral 12 is carried by thelower portion of the-tubular stem or standard 4 and in the portion ofsaid bearingbloc'k which is disposed outwardlyofthe tubular stem orstandard 4 there isprovided a suitablefibearing '13 for the lower end ofthe threaded shaft extending, through the bushing or bearing 11 providedtherefor in. the upper bearing block 5.

The timber supporting carriage is designated generally by the numeral 15and the same is adapted for vertical movement along the threaded shaft14. This carriage 15 is provided with a tubular stem or standardengaging portion 16, so that the carriage will be prevented fromrotating with the shaft 14:, but will be caused to move vertically onthe shaft when the latter is actuated in the manner to be presentlydescribed.

F or the purpose of actuating the screw shaft 14, we provide thetransversely extending shaft 17 which is journaled through suitablebearings 18 supported on the lower portion of the tubular standard 1 atdiametrically opposite points. A beveled gear 19 is secured'on the innerend of the shaft 17 and the same meshes with a similar gear 20 securedon the lower end portion of the screw shaft 14 as is clearly shown inFig. 2. An actuating crank handle 21is secured on the outer end of theshaft 17 and for the purpose ofpreventing the rotation of the shaft 17in one direction, there is provided asuitable pawl and ratchet mechanismdesignated generally by the numeral 22.

The use of our improved timber hoist'may be briefly stated as follows:lhe jack 1 is initially placed in proper position within the mine andby actuating the lever 3, the head 2 of the jack will be raisedsimultaneously raising the tubular stem or standard 4, and the threadedstem 7 supported in the upper end. of the standard until the spur 8carried on the upper end of the threaded stem 7 en gages the ceiling Aof the mine. When the platform or carriage 15 is at its lowermostposition on the screw threaded shaft 14:, the timber-or cross bar whichis to be positioned at the top of the mine adjacent the ceiling isplaced on the carriage of a suitable length so as to accommodate thetimber which is ordinarily of great length.

The crank handle 21 is then rotated in one direction so that rotarymovement will be imparted through the screw threaded shaft 1 1, and asthe shaft 14; rotates, the

I carriage 15 and the timber supported thereon will move upwardly untilthe timber has been raised to the desired height in the mine. Theplatform 15 will hold the timber or cross bar in its raised position sothat the usual supporting leg may be placed in position underneath ofthe respective ends of the timber or cross bar, and after the legs andthe timber spanning the upper ends of the leg members are properlypositioned, the carriage or platform 15 is lowered and the jack 1 isalso actuated so as to release the spur 8 from engagement with theceiling or roof A, and thereby permit the apparatus to be readilyremoved, and again positioned whenever it is necessary to install thetimbers or cross bars in the mine. V

The provision of an apparatus of theabove mentioned character will saveconsiderable time and labor in assembling the timbers and supportinglegs in a mine and heretofore where it has been necessary to employ fivemen to accomplish this work, the present apparatus will only necessitatethe employment of a single person and yet will expedite the operation ofraising and supporting a timber in a positive and efficient manner. 7

While we have shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is tobe understood that minor changes in the size, shape, and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a timber hoist for mines, anadjustable support, a mine roof engaging element carried by the upperend of said support, a rotatable threaded shaft arranged verticallyadjacent the support and carried there by, and a timber supportingcarriage adapted for vertical movement on said shaft.

2. In a timber hoist for mines, an adjustable supporting standard, amine roof engaging element carried by the upper end of said standard,bearing block-s extending laterally from said standard, a rotatablethreaded shaft journaled at its ends in said blocks, means for rotatingsaid shaft, and a timber supporting carriage adapted for verticalmovement on said shaft.

3. In a timber hoist for mines, an adjustable supporting standard, amine roof engaging element carried by the upper end of said standard,bearing blocks extending laterally from said standard, a rotatablethreaded shaft journaled at its ends in said blocks, means for rotatingsaid shaft, and a timbersupporting carriage threaded onsaid shaft. thesame being provided with means for engagement with said standard toprevent rotation of the carriage on the shaft.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

ANTHONY w. BELL, SR. HARVEY L. JENNINGS.

